A hardy and colorful tetra from the coastal rivers near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. An ideal choice for beginners with its peaceful temperament.
Overview
Hyphessobrycon flammeus is a small characin from the family Characidae, first described in 1924. In the wild, it inhabits coastal rivers and streams in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where it lives in slow-moving waters with dense vegetation and soft silty bottoms. Thanks to its hardiness and striking coloration, Hyphessobrycon flammeus was one of the first tetras introduced to the aquarium hobby and remains popular to this day.
The body is elongated and slightly laterally compressed, reaching 3–4 cm in length. The front half of the body is silvery, while the rear transitions from rich orange to bright red, giving the species its common name. Two vertical dark bars are located behind the gill cover on each side. The anal and ventral fins feature black edging, creating a beautiful contrast. Males are more intensely colored than females, especially during spawning.
Tank Requirements
A tank of at least 40 liters is sufficient for a school of 8–10 individuals. Optimal water parameters are: temperature 24–28°C, pH 6.0–7.5, and general hardness (GH) 5–15. Hyphessobrycon flammeus prefers moderate flow and subdued lighting, which can be easily achieved with floating plants.
A dark substrate works best, as it makes the fish's colors appear significantly brighter. Dense planting around the perimeter with open swimming space in the center is the ideal layout. Plants such as Vallisneria, Cryptocoryne, and Java moss work well. Driftwood and dried leaf litter will give the water a slight brownish tint, mimicking the natural habitat.
Filtration should be effective but without strong current. Weekly water changes of 20–25% will help maintain stable parameters.
Feeding and Diet
Hyphessobrycon flammeus is an omnivorous species that presents no feeding challenges. In the wild, these fish feed on small insects, larvae, worms, and plant debris.
In the aquarium, high-quality flakes or micro-pellets can form the staple diet. To enhance coloration and maintain health, regularly supplement with live or frozen foods: brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and small bloodworms. Vegetable supplements such as spirulina or blanched spinach leaves are also beneficial.
Feed small portions 2–3 times daily so the fish can consume everything within 2–3 minutes. Dietary variety is the key to vivid coloration and active behavior.
Care and Maintenance
The Flame Tetra is one of the most undemanding fish for the home aquarium. Its low care level makes it an excellent choice for beginner aquarists.
The most important rule is stability of water parameters. Weekly water changes of 20–25% and regular gravel vacuuming prevent the buildup of harmful substances. Monitor ammonia and nitrite levels — they should always read zero.
Hyphessobrycon flammeus is a schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 8. In small groups, the fish become shy and pale, while in a larger school they display vivid coloration and fascinating social behavior. Males engage in harmless displays toward each other, flaring their fins and intensifying their colors.
With proper care, the lifespan is 3–5 years.
Compatibility
The Flame Tetra is an exceptionally peaceful fish, well suited for community aquariums. It gets along wonderfully with other calm species of similar size.
Ideal tankmates include:
- Other small tetras: Ember Tetra, Black Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Neon Tetra
- Rasboras: Chili Rasbora
- Corydoras: Panda Corydoras, Sterba's Corydoras, Pygmy Corydoras
- Small Apistogramma: Umbrella Cichlid
Avoid keeping them with large or aggressive fish that may view the tetras as prey. Housing with large cichlids or predatory species is not recommended.
Breeding
Breeding Hyphessobrycon flammeus at home is quite achievable and suitable for aquarists with some experience. For spawning, prepare a separate tank of 10–20 liters with soft water (GH 4–8), slightly acidic (pH 6.0–6.5), and a temperature of 26–28°C.
Place fine-leaved plants or synthetic spawning mops on the bottom to serve as an egg substrate. Lighting should be dim. Select a pair with the most vibrant coloration and condition them well with live foods for 1–2 weeks before spawning.
Spawning usually occurs in the morning. The female lays up to 200 eggs among the plants. After spawning, the parents must be removed immediately, as they will eat their own eggs. The eggs incubate for 24–36 hours, and after 3–4 days the fry begin free-swimming. First foods should be infusoria and brine shrimp nauplii.